One-shot from Shiori’s POV
Warnings: Angst and death.
Lately, my son has been bringing home a lot of weird friends. But at least he has friends he likes enough to bring home. For days, sometimes even weeks, he disappears on trips to remote places. And he always comes back with ripped, torn, bloody clothes. I don’t ask questions, though. At least he comes back ok. I just wish I knew what he did on those trips.
Shuiichi also dresses differently. Sure, during the week he wears his school uniform. But on the weekends or holidays he wears Chinese tunics or dark things. And, when he goes with his friends, those clothes are nasty. I just hope it’s not Shuiichi’s blood that stains the silk.
Well, anyway, I was coming back from the market one day. I walked into my kitchen to see my son shoving food in a bag. That didn’t shock me.
His outfit did. Shuiichi would never dress like that. Tight black pants tucked into knee-high tan boots with buckles all the way up. A black tank top was his top and mid upper-arm white gloves completed the look. I couldn’t help but stare at my strangely dressed son.
“Mother!” He squeaked. He looked slightly edgy and guilty.
“Shuiichi, where do you think you are going dressed like that?” I asked calmly.
“Uh…With a few of my friends,” He responded.
“Ok. But put a coat on. It’s cold,” I lied. It was nice outside; I didn’t want the neighbors to see my strangely dressed boy. He slipped a light jacket on and, after grabbing his bag, slipped out the door.
About a week later, my son came home. But he didn’t come by himself. All of his friends came; two of them were carrying him. I guess they didn’t expect me to be home, cause they just walked in my home.
“Shuiichi!!!” I screeched. The others turned and tried to hide him. I already noticed he appeared to be unconscious.
“Let me see my son!!!” I yelled at the one closest. I think his name is Hiei.
“I don’t think it would be a good idea,” The girl named Botan said, sadness creeping into her voice.
“I need to speak with my mother. Please put me on the couch,” I heard my son say feebly. His friends carefully maneuvered him into a sitting position.
I inhaled sharply at the sight of his wounds. A gash across his torso was freely bleeding. Dozens of tiny wounds marred his flesh. I was surprised he could even talk. I knew he wasn’t going to live. I felt the tears pouring from my eyes.
“Please mother; don’t cry. I need you to understand everything I say,” Shuiichi said softly. I composed myself for my son’s sake. His friends were all sad, but they seemed not to be as upset as they should be.
“Mother, I have a secret. I feel horrible about not telling you sooner. I wanted you to live out your life in happiness. I am not your son. At least not in the sense of my soul and mind. This body is that of your child. I am a demon. A fox demon to be exact. My real name is Kurama. Youko Kurama. I was seriously wounded by a Reikai bounty hunter and escaped to Ningenkai. I settled in the body of your child before it acquired a proper soul. I have felt guilt all of my human life. Please forgive me.”
My mind was swimming with what he said. He stole the body of my child. But he is my child and I don’t care about how he came to be in my son’s body.
“Shu-ah- Kurama, of course I forgive you. How could I not? I love you for you. I wouldn’t be a good mother if I couldn’t forgive you. You are my son in whatever sense.”
“Thank you, mother. Now you can see my true form,” My son said with his last breath. I was too absorbed in my tears to hear his last words.
A brilliant flash of light filled my living room. I looked up to see the most beautiful creature. He was tall, thin, and well-built. Silver hair cascaded down to his waist, where a tail was. White ears adorned his head. Frozen gold eyes melted at the sight of me crying.
“Mother, don’t cry. This is my true form. Be happy. You didn’t lose your son,” I heard a deep voice say softly as Kurama knelt next to me.
“You should have told me sooner and given me time to prepare. I’m having a hard time taking my eyes off of you,” I said, my tears drying. He smiled and fangs showed.
“I know I should have. I’m sorry mother. I can’t stay in the human world. I can come and visit,” Kurama said.
“D d d don’t leave me!” I wailed. He gently patted my back as he stood again. His slender hand pulled me to my feet. He kissed me gently on the cheek before walking out the door.
His friends followed him out, and soon I was alone.
“Now I know what it is to feel a mother’s grief at losing a child. And shock to find that he has an entirely different life and body,” I said softly to no one as I went to my son’s room to reminisce.
Author’s Note: I know, I know. At least it has a slightly light ending. Review it for me.
Disclaimer: I don’t own anything. ‘cept for a few graphic novels.